Gun



5. BRAND July 3, 1945.

GUN

Filed Feb. 6. 1943 7 Sheets-Shet 2 A TI'ORNEY 5. BRAND July 3, 1945.

GUN

Filed Feb. 6. 1943 7 Sheets-Speet 3 h. ===EG :lillllllllll!!!llillli1l1lliAll/llll4ll:1"

I ENTOR Maw ATTORNEY July 3,1945. I a BRAND 2,379,784

GUN

7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 6, 1943 S. BRAND July 3,1945.

GUN

Filed Feb. 6, 1943 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG.8.

m m V W ATTORNEY July 3, 1945. 5. BRAND 2,379,784

GUN

Filed Feb. 6, 1943 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 I: VIIIIW/i/lI/lllm 05 IVENTOR ATTORNEY S. BRAND July: 3, 1945.

GUN

Filed Feb. 6, 1945 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 NVENTOH m A TTORNE Y I Patented July 3, 1945 UNITED GUN Samuel Brand, Binghamton, N'. Y., assignor to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 6, 194-3, Serial. No. 474,936- 3 Claims. (01. 124-6) This invention relates to ordnance and more. particularly to guns for discharging explosive projectiles.

The usefulness. of the; grenade, or small bomb, in present day Warfare is of course, well known. It is. usually thrown: by hand and is: used at short range to blast, targets. located. in trenches. and behind fortifications, pill boxes, machine gun nests, tanks, trucks, houses, and the like. However, they are decidedly limited. in their use and effectiveness; because, as they are thrown by hand, the accuracy and range is limited. to. the: skill and ability'of the particular soldier using them. Furthermore, they are: dangerous to. use because the soldiers throwing them necessarily have. to. approach relatively close to thetarget,

Thisinvention. has; for a general object toprovide a new and improved form of gunwhich discharges projectiles of the same general-type; as thehand grenade; i. e., highexplosive bombs and; chemical and incendiary bombs, andto; providea gun which can. beused: for the; same purposes. as' the hand grenades: are now used, and which is. decidedly, more accurate, has a. much longerrange, and, is; saferto use; than the hand grenade.

A, further: object is: to' provide; a. gun of. theabove typewhichis; of 1 improved; construction and. arrangement. of parts; and; which: mechanicallydischarges: the projectiles with a. relatively: high.

degree. ofaccuracy. I

A. further object of this invention isto. provide; ashort range portable gun. which. is; simple and Other objects of the invention will be'pointedout: in: the following description and claimszand, illustrated in -the accompanying drawings, which. disclose, by way ofexample, the principl'etof the.

invention and the best: mode, whichhasxbeen.

contemplated; of. applying that principle;

In: the drawings;

Fig. 1 isv a side elevation showing one preferred embodiment of constructed in accordance with the present, invention, the gun being shown as adjusted to fire at a relatively high elevation;

Fig; 2. is. a rear elevation of the. gunshown in Fig. l. and illustrating the gun. asadjusted. to fire at, the-minimum elevation for which the. particular gun shown is designed;

Fig, 3 is an. enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional. view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and illustrating the gun in the same adjustment for. elevation. as Fig. 1;,

Fig. 4. is a longitudinal section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; r

Fig. 5 is a. longitudinal section taken on the line. 5--5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 6-4 of. Fi 3;.

'7v isa fragmentary verticalsectional-yiew. taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view.- taken onthe line 8--8 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is afragmentary transversesection taken. on the line 9-9 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 10.-

an enlarged fragmentary plan section taken on the line. Ill-l0 of Fig. 3 and illustratingone. preferred means for holding the gun inany desired position of adjustment for horizontal traverse;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged.detailfragmentary sec.- tiontakenr on the line lI-ll ofFig. 2 and illus-- trating one preferred means for. controlling the. feeding ofprojectiles into firing, position;

Fig. 12 isianenlarge'd detail fragmentary section taken. onthe. line l:2--l:2 of Fig.2. andillustrating one preferred. means for adjusting the gun. for elevation;

Fig. 13. is a: fragmentary plan section illustrating the means. for driving. the. sprockets which.

feed. the projectiles; into position. to enter the breech of the gun barrel, the suction being taken onthe line l-3-l3.of. Fig, 3;,

Fig. 14 is a partial. side elevation andpartial. longitudinalsectiom showing. one form of pro.- jectilewhich may 'be used in the. gun disclosed; and:

Fig. 15. is a rear. elevation. of the. projectile shown: in-Fig, 1.4-.

Referringsto thesconstruction illustrated in Figs. It to: 13; inclusivethe; reference; numeral. Ill: indicates,.in.. its; entirety; one preferred embodiment. offagun constructed in actordance with the. presentjnventionz Inageneral, the-gun; lllcomprisesaframe structure l"I:and-a.gun barrel 12 mounted inzthe frame:s.tructure-.. The; frame structuremay;

be considered as comprising a base or pedestal support I3, an upper or barrel-carrying frame part I4, and an intermediate or connector frame member I5.

The pedestal support I3 is shown as comprising a centrally located body part I5 and three legs I! extending downwardly and outwardly therefrom; and the body part It includes an upstanding cylindrical-supporting boss I8 machined to provide an outer cylindrical bearing surface which is rotatably engaged by a machined inner cylindrical bearing surface of a hub part I9 formed on the connector I5. The outer cylindrical bearing surface of boss I8 terminates at its lower end in an upwardly facing annular thrust bearing surface 25, on which is rotatably supported the lower machined end 2I of the hub I9. In addition to providing for the support of the frame parts I5 and I4 from the base I3, the boss I8 and hub I9 also provide for adjusting the frame part I5 and the frame part I4 carrying the barrel I2, about an uprightaxis to vary the traverse of the gun. The gun} maybelocked by hand in any position of adjustment about the upright axis of its support by a suitable wedging cam 22 fixed to a shaft 23 whiclris'journaled in horizontal aligned openings in the frame part I 5 and is provided with a suitable handle 24 fixed to its o uter end (see Figs. 3 and As will be apparent, rotary movement of the handle 24 in one direction results in the cam-22 being forced into locking engagement with the outer surface of the boss I8 and movement of the handle in the opposite direction disengages the cam from the boss. i

' Inorder to make thegun mountmore stable the connector I5 is provided with anextension 25 having a curved outer edge z s carrying radially arranged roller bearings 21 fitting between upper and lower bearing surfaces 28 and 29, respectively,

which define a sectorial or partially annular groove 30 in the central body part I6 of the support I3. The'center of curvature of the edge 26 and the groove 30 is the upright axis of the boss I8.

The connector I5 is provided at opposite sides thereof with a pair of upwardly extending vertical flanges 3| and 32, respectively, which provide for pivotally supporting the upper frame part I4 for movement about a horizontal axis so as to vary the elevation of the gun (see Fig. 8). The flanges 3| and 32 are provided with horizontall aligned bearing openings '33 and 34, respectively, which receive trunnion portions 35 and 36 of pivot studs 31 and '38; The latter are provided at their respective inner endswith threaded portions 39 and 40 which are secured within similarly threaded outer ends of a pair of horizontally aligned openings II-and 42,respectively, provided through the lower thickened portions of flanges 43 and 44 which extend downwardly from opposite sides of the upper frame part I 4.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that'I have provided'a simple and rugged support for the upperframe -I4 carrying the gun barrel I2, which support provides for varyingboth the traverse and the elevation of the gun within wide ranges.

.The upper frame I 4 can be readily detached from the connector I5 by unscrewing the pivot studs'31 and 38. Handles 45 extending from opposite sides of the frame I4, facilitate movement of the gun to adjust the traverse and elevation thereof.

Provision is also made. for locking the gun in any desiredposition of adjustment as to elevation (see Figs. 6, 8, and 12). To this end, the upper part of flange 3| of the connector I 5 is in the form of a sectorial rack member 46 which is adapted to be engaged by a pawl 41 pivoted to a fixed bracket 48 formed on the frame part I4 and including an upwardly extending actuating arm 49. A tension spring 5!] connecting the arm 49 and a fixed stud 5| on the frame part I 4, constantly urges the pawl into lockingengagement with the rack 46. An actuating rod 52 is slidably mounted in spaced brackets 53 and 54 on the frame I4 and is provided at its outer end with an actuating member 55 which extends through an opening in the front wall of the frame I4 so that it can be readily engaged and pushed inward by the thumb of the gunner. The inner end of the rod 52 terminates againstthe arm '49, so that When the operator pushesthe rod inward, the pawl 41. will be released from the rack 46 and the elevation of the gun can then be varied by moving the frame about theaxis of the pivot pins 31 and 38. When the member 55 is released the spring will move the pawl 41 into locking engagement with the rack. To assure thereturn of the rod 52 to the position shown in Fig. 12, a compression spring encircles the rod 52 and is interposed between the bracket 54 and a stop collar 56 fixed to the rod 52. In the extended position of the rod the collar 56 engages the bracket 53 to position the rod. A suitable guard 51 is provided to prevent accidental actuation of the rod 52.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3, 5, and 9, it will be observed that the gun barrel I2 is rigidly mounted'in the upper frame part I4 and that the barrel is provided with a plurality of pairs of longitudinally extending slots 51, 58, and 59; respectively. The pairs are arranged in spaced relation to one another along the axis of the gun barrel, and the slots formed in each pair are in opposed relation to one another on opposite sides of the axisof the barrel. There is also provided a plurality of spaced pairs of friction rollers 60, BI, and 52, respectively, for the several pairs of slots and the rollers function to frictionally engage and thereby propel projectiles through the bore of thebarrel. There is a roller for each slot and each roller is mounted for rotation about a-fixed axis with respect to the frame part I4 and for rotation in approximately the same plane as the other roller of its pair and so that the rim or'tread of each roller projects partially into its respective slotwhere it can frictionally engage a projectile in the bore of the barrel. The rims of the rollers are preferably formed of a suitable resilient friction material, for example, rubber. The rollers of each pair are spaced apart-such a distance that When a projectile occupies the space therebetween, there is'a substantial deformation of the rubber rim thereby assuring a firm grip on the projectile. The reference numeral 63 indicates one form of projectile which is suitable foruse in-the gun I0 and will be described more fullyhereinafter.

As shown by the arrows in Fig. 5, all of the rollers are constantly rotating in directions so that theportions thereof within their respective slots always move in the general direction of extent of the barrel, 1. e. from the breechend to- Wardthe muzzle end. When a projectile is fed between the first pair of rollers 60, it will befrim tionally engaged thereby and bepropelled at a rapidzra'teaalong the barrel and into frictional engagementwith the second pair of rollers BI which willfthen engage the projectile and propel the same forward into engagement with the third pair of rollers 62. The latter will also .propel the projectile forward and will disch'argei-the projectile from the muzzle and toward the selected target. mThe-pair of rollers 6| is spaced from-the pair 60 and the pair'62 is spaced'from the pair 6|" suflicient distances so thatthe projectile will not be engaged'by the pair 6| until it has been released bythe pair 60 and will not be' engaged by the pair 62 until it has beenreleased 'by the pair 6|. w

Provision is made for driving the rollers of each pair at the same speed and for driving the several pairs of rollers at progressively higher speedsconsidered in the direction. of travel of theprojectile so that the rate of movement of the projectile will be progressively increased as it moves through the bore of the barrel and until it reaches its maximum speed when released .by thelast pair 82. As will be readily understood, the respective speeds of the rollers will beselected to provide the desired muzzle velocity of the projectile and resulting range for the gun. In the particular embodiment shown provision is made for driving the pair of rollers 69 ata rate of sixty feet per second, the pair 6| at one hundred= twenty feet per second, and the pair 62 at one hundred sixty feet per second. These speeds will provide an effective range of two'hundred yards for the gun, with due allowances for. losses such as airfriction, drive wheel slippage, etc.

.In the construction shown, the motive power for driving the several pairs of rollers is provided by an internal combustionengine indicated at 64 and carried by the pedestal support IS. The engine64 isarranged so that'an extension 65 of its crankshaft extends vertically upward. through the center of the. boss !8 and so that the axis of the extension shaft 65- is coincident with the axis of the outer cylindrical bearing surfaces of the'boss IS. The upper part of the extension drive-shaft 65 is supported for rotation in a journal bearing 66 formed as a part of a web 6! integ'ral with the upper end of the'boss 18 (see also Fig. 8). 'A bevel gear 68 is fixed to the upper end of the drive shaft 65 and meshes with a bevel gear 69 fixed to a shaft H! rotatively supported by the upper frame part M. The two ends of the shaft 10 are jou-rnaled, respectively, in the inner ends' of the horizontally aligned openings 4| and 42 of the' downwardly extending flanges 43 and 44 and so that the axis of rotation of the shaft 10 is coincident with the axis of the trunnion portions 35 and 3d of the pivot studs 3land 38.

"Twobevel'gears H and 12, respectively, are fixedjto the shaft 10 on opposite sides of its-connection'with the drive shaft 65 and at approxima tely' equal distances from the axis of the shaft 65. 5 The gears H and 12 mesh, respectively, with bevel gears 13am I4 fixed to the rear ends of shafts l5'and 76 (see also Figs. 7 and 9). The shafts 15 and 16 extend in the same general direction as the gun barrel I2 and are arranged in spaced approximately parallel relation to weanother. "Each of the shafts l5 and Hi is supported for'r'otation about its respective axis by'spaced journal bearings 11 and 18- fixed in the upper frame member [4. Bevel gears'19 and 80 are fixedtothe forward ends of shafts 15 and I6, respectively; and mesh with bevel gears Si and 82 fixed to thelower ends of shafts 83'and 84, respectively, to which are fixed rollersBla and Glb composing thep'air 6!. The shafts 83 and 84 are suitably supported for rotation about fixed axes in the upper frame part I4. 7 With the internal combustion engine 64 in operation, the above described power-transmitting shafts and 'gearsprovide "for the rotation of roll ers 6Ia and Sl-b in' opposite directions and zso that the" rim portions thereof occupying their respective slots'will move in the general direc-" tion of extent-of the gun barrel.- ,See the directionalrarrowsiniFig. 5. 1

. It :is:noted thatthe previously described-adjustment of the gun for traverse and elevation can be readily effected at the same time the rollers areibeing driven from the engine 64; This is due to the fact that the axisof the shaft 65 is coincident with the axis of the outer bearing surface of boss l8, and because the. axis of shaft Ill is coincident with the axes of trunnion portions 35 and 36, and because. of the .bevel gear drive connection between shaft. 65 and shaft 10 and between shaft!!! and shafts 15 and 16.

Provision is made for driving both the pair of rollers 60 and the pair of rollers 62 from theshafts 83 and 84 on which therollers 6|a and Bib of the pair6l are fixed. Fixed to the upperend of shaft 83 is a relatively small pulley wheel 85 and a relatively large pulley wheel 86, andfixedto the upper end of shaft 84 is apulleywheel 81 of the same size as the wheel-5 anda pulley wheel 88 of the samesize as wheel 85 (seeFigs. 3, l, 5,17, and'9). Rollers 60a, and 60b composing the pair 60 are fixed, respectively, toshafts 89 and .90 andthe latter are journaled for rotation about fixed axes in the upper frame part l4. Likewise, rollers 62a and 62b composing the pair 62 are fixed, respectively, to shafts 9| and 92 which are also journaled for rotation about fixed axes'in the upper frame part I4. Fixed to the .upper endsof. the shafts 89 and 90, are pulleys 93 and 94, respectively, of the same diameter; and fixed to the .upper ends of shafts 9| and 92, are pulleys 95v and 96, respectively, which are also of the same diameter. An endless driving 'belt 91 connects the pulleys 85 and93; a belt 98 connects the pulleys 81 and 94; a belt 99 connects the pulleys and 95;-and a belt I00 connects the pulleys 88 and In the particular construction-which I have elected to show, the size relationship between the several pulleys is such that with the rollers-Ha and 61b being rotated at the aforementioned rate of one-hundred andtwenty feet per second, the rollers 69a and too are drivenattherate of sixty feet per second, and the rollers 62a and 6217 at the rate of one hundred and sixty feet per second. It will be appreciated, however, that the present invention is not limited to the particular size relationship of parts which is disclosed or to the particular speeds given, for obviously they can both bevaried within wide ranges without departing from the intended scope of the invention. Furthermore, the invention in all of its aspects is not limited to the particular number of pairs of rollers disclosed, for obviously; the number of pairs will vary with the requirements of the gun, such for example as the desired range, size of the projectile, etc.

A relatively small internal combustion engine for example, from three to five horse power, is suflicient to operate the gun in the manner explained above. The fuel tank required for an engine of this size is also small, for example, a onegallontank is sufiicient for normal use. .The tank, not shown, is carried by the pedestal support 13. Furthermore, I prefer that a relatively heavy fly wheel be used on the engine in order to pro.-

pects of the present invention are concerned, the projectiles 63 may befed intojthe breech endof the barrel I2 and into operative engagement with the first pair of rollers 60 by any suitable means, such for example, as by hand;..I provide in the embodiment disclosed an automatic or: magazine type of feeding mechanism which is so constructed Y that the gunner may at his discretion and under the control of a trigger device,..feed a single projectile and discharge it from the gun, or the pro jectiles may be fed and discharged intermittently in bursts, or continuously in a stream; l I

.Formed as a part ofthe frame part I4, is" an upper cylindrical magazine chamberrl I which is constructed with its axis approximately parallel to that of the gun barrel, and is connectedjby a downwardly extending tangential passage: III with a lower chamber I I2 which houses the projectile feeding vmechanism and into which the rear or breech end of they barrelfI2 projects. As shown in Figs. 3 and 6, .the projectiles 63 are 'assembled ona feed'belt I I3 made of suitable cloth fabric and which-is wound around a light. metal spool I I4 rotatably mounted on a; spindlel I 5 supported axially within the magazine chamber I I0. The belt I I3 is formed with a plurality of similar and equally spaced pockets II6 into which the projectiles are respectively inserted; and the pockets are so arranged that the projectiles extend transversely of the direction of extent of'the belt. The spindle H5 is fixed at its, forward" end to the forwardwall- I I1 of the chamber I I0 and extends rearwardly from the wall I I1 and axially of the'chamber H0 and is supported at its rear end within an opening I I8 in a door I I9, the lat ter being suitably hinged to the frame part I I4 and closing the entire front of the chamber IIO, assage I I I,and chamber I I2; As stated, the spindle .I I5 provides the rotary support for thespool I14, the latter being provided with anaxial passage I which receives the spindle I I5. The'door I I9, when closed, also holds the spool in place on the spindle. Spring. fingers ;I2I radiatingfrom the spindle H5 and engaging at the outer ends thereof the forward side of the spool H4, provide'a means for constantly resisting the rotation of the spool II4 so that the belt II3 will be kept taut as it is being fed.

'Referring to Figs. .3, 4,6, .7, 8 and 13, it will be observed that there is located inthe lower chamber, a feed mechanism indicated generally at I and which operates tofeed the projectiles 63 one at a time into a position behind the breech of the gun where the axis of the projectile occupying such position is coincident with the axis of the gun, and the mechanism I25 also operates to feed the projectile occupying such position axially into the breech end of the gun and into'engagement with the first pair of rollers 60 which is conjunction with the other pairs of rollers 6| and 62, uperate to propel the projectile through the barrel and discharge the same toward the target. Forming a rearward extension of the gun barrel .I2 is a positioning, or stop, plate I26 which is for the most part arcuate incross section' with the same radius and axis as that of the gun bar,- rel I2 so that when a projectile- 63'isin'ful1 engagement withthearcuate portion of the plate I26 it can be fed axially therefrom into the breech (see Fig. 6). The plate I26 is provided at itslower edge with a tangentiallyextending guide flange I2'I which functions to guide the rojec-tile into full engagement with the arcuate-portion of the platerI26. c; r I

., The feed mechanism I25 comprises'apair'of spaced feed sprockets I28 and I 29', respectively,

mounted on a shaft I30 for rotation therewith The shaft I30 is arranged with its axis in spaced parallel relation with the axis of the gun barrel I2 and positioning plate I26, and is supported for rotation in spaced journal bearings I3I and I32, respectively, fixed to the frame I4. The sprockets I28 and I29 are provided with an equal num-.

ber of radial teeth or pins and witharcuate portions between the pins shaped to receive the side of a projectile. The teeth of the sprockets I28 and I29 are equally spaced angularly with respect to one another and the teeth of one sprocket are so positioned with respect to the teeth on the other sprocket that with rotation of the shaft I30 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 6 and 8, the sprockets simultaneously engage and feed in succession projectiles 63 into full engagement with positioning plate I26.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the teeth of sprocket I 28 engage the belt II3 with the pockets I I6 and the projectiles 6| therein, fitting between the teeth. The sprocket I29 is arranged forward of the forward longitudinal edge of the belt and'the teeth thereof engage the projectile directly. Thus, the sprocket I28 also functions to unwind the belt from the spool I I4 and advances the belt and the projectiles into position where the projectiles can be simultaneously engaged by both sprockets I28 and I29 and moved th'ereby against the positioning plate I 26. As stated above, the spring fingers I2l function to resist the unwinding movement of the spool I I4 andthereby keep the belt taut. III, and lower chamber II2 are formed with a pair of spaced parallel guide ribs I34 and I35 respectively, which extend in the general direction of feed of the belt and which function to guide the projectiles into the spaces between sprocket teeth and also cooperate with the sprocket teeth and with the guide flange I 21 to feed the projectiles one at a time into full engagement with the positioning plate I26.

The positioning plate I26 is provided with a longitudinally extending slot I36 therein and a constantly rotating feed roller I31 projects partially therein and functions when the sprockets move a projectile into position against theplate I26, to frictionally engage the projectile and move the latter out of its pocket H6 and axially into the breech of the gun and into operative engagement with the first pair of rollers 60. The teeth or pins I38 of sprocket I29 are formed as rollers so as to facilitate this axial feeding movement of the projectile while the projectile is held by the sprockets in position against the plate I26. As soon as a projectile is moved into the gun barrel, the sprockets I28 and I29 feed the next projectileinto position against the plate I26. The rim of the roller I31 isv preferably formed of a suitable resilient material such as rubber, -so as to assure frictional feeding engagement withthe projectile. The lower chamber H2 is provided with a slot I39 through which the emptied portion of the belt H3 is fed from the gun.

The roller I3! is fixed to a shaft I40 which is journaled to rotate in bearings MI and I42, respectively, fixed to the frame I4. The roller I31 and the sprockets I28 and I29 are driven from the shaft of ro1ler 60b. To this end, a-driving pulley I43 is fixed to the lower end of shaft 90 and is connected by an endless drivin belt I44 to a pulley I45 fixed to the lower end of shaft I40 on which the roller I3! is fixed. A worm I46 is provided on the upper end of shaft I40 and,

The upper chamber I.I0, passagemeshes with a worm wheel'I I1 fixed to one end of a shaft 148 rotatably mounted i'n a, journal bearing I49 fixed ontheframe I4 (see Figs. '7 and 13). A bevel gear I 50 is fixed to the other end of shaft I48 and meshes with a bevel gear I5I fixed of the spline coupling I the shaft I38 will rotate with the sprocket I28 but the sprocket, I28

can move axially with respect to the shaft and collar I51. A compression spring I58 is interposed between the collar I51 and the sprocket I28 and serves to constantly urge the side of the sprocket into frictional engagement with the friction disk I54. The collar I52 is shown as extended toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 13, and as engaging at its end the hub of sprocket I29. This is for the purpose of taking the end thrust of the spring I58 in the right-hand direction. The sprocket I29 is fixed by a suitable pin to the shaft I30, as shown.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the feed roller I31 rotates constantly in'a feeding direction as long as the engine 64 is operating, and that the feed sprockets I28 and I29 also rotate in a feeding direction as long as the sprockets are not held against rotation by some opposing force sullicient to cause slippage between the disk I54 and the side of sprocket I28. One example of such an opposing force is when a projectile is moved into position/against the plate I26, the sprockets can not rotate further until the feed roller I3! moves such projectile out of the way and into the gun barrel. During such time the friction disk I54 slides over the surface of the sprocket I28 and the sprockets; hold the projectile hard against the plate I 25 until it is fed into the gun barrel.

I also provide a trigger device so. that the gun ner can control at will the discharge of projectiles from the gun. The trigger device may be operated so as to discharge only one projectile, or to discharge the projectiles intermittently in bursts, or continuously in a stream '(see particularly Figs. 8, l1 and 13). Fixed. to the hub of sprocket I29, is a ratchet wheel I60 havin equally spaced ratchet teeth It! equal in number to the teeth ,on the feed sprockets. A pawl I62 pivoted to a stud I63 Which is fixed to the frame part I I, is adapted to electivel engage the teeth ISI. When the pawl engages a selected tooth IBI, the sprocket I29, shaft I39 and sprocket I28 are held thereby against rotation and in such a manner that, if a projectile occupies the space between the two sprockets and the plate I25, such projectile will be pressed firmly by the sprockets against the plate I25 and with sufficient force for the projectile to be fed by the roller I31 into the gun. After the projectile is fed into the barrel I2. the pawl I62 will continue to hold the sprockets I28 and I29 and shaft I30 against rotation until the pawl is-moved by the gunner out of engagement with the ratchet. While the pawl I62 engages a tooth IiiI, the friction disk I54 slips over the side surface of the sprocket I28, as will be readily understood.

The pawl I52 is provided with an upstanding actuating lever arm I64 which is connected by .a'linkIfiS to one arm I65 of a bell crank I51 pivoted to a fixed stud I68. The other arm I69 ofthe bell crank I61 is operatively engaged by the forked outer end of arm I10 of a second bell crank I 1| pivoted to the fixed stud I12. An actuating rod I13 is slidably supported in spaced brackets I14 and I15 and terminates inwardly against a second armi 16 of the bell crank I'II. The'rod. I13 terminates outwardly in an actuate ing button I11 extending outwardly throughan opening in the "oute'r-wall'of frame I4 and where it'can be engaged and pushed inwardly by the thumb of the gunner. As will be apparent, when the rod I13 is pushed inward such motion is transmitted through the bell cranks HI and I51 .andlink I65 to thepawl I52 and the latter will be rocked coimterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 8 and out of engagement with the ratchet teeth IGI and thereby permit the feed sprockets to be r0.- tatedin a counterclockwise or feeding direction through the friction disk, I5 I.- A guard I18 protects the button I11 against accidental actuation. -A tension spring I 89 connecting the outer end of arm I64 and a fixed stud I3I, serves to constantly urge the pawl I62 into engagement with the ratchet so that as soon as the rod I13 is released by the gunnergthe pawl engages the ratchet and stopsfurther feeding of the projectiles. A compression spring I33 encircling the rod I13 and interposed between the bracket I15 and a collar I84 fixed to the rod I 13, serves to constantl urge the rod" I13 outwardly, or to. the left as viewed in Fig, 11. The collar I54 engaging the bracket I14 limits outward movement of the rod I13 gby thespring' I 83 and thereby serves to determine the outer position of the rod.

. The'operation of the gun by the trigger device will be apparent from the foregoing description. If'the button I11 be pressed inward by the operator and immediately'released. the pawl I62 will be lifted from engagement with a tooth SI and will engage the. next tooth thereto as the sprockets and ratchet wheel are rotated through the fri' tion disk I54. This will result in the discharging provided anew andim'provedportable gun which is-simple and ru ged in construction, and which mechanically discharges explosive projectiles with comparative safety'and with a relatively high clegree of accuracy. Itsrange will depend upon the speed and number of. propelling rollers used and the size and weight of the projectile. Due to its wide range of adjustment as to elevation, it can perform the same function more accurately and at a longer and safer range than the hand grenade. Furthermore, as the projectiles are mechanically discharged it can be 'used advantageously in the place of a short-range trench mortar.

In Figs. 14 and 15, Ihave shown by way of example, one form of projectile which can be used in my improved gun. The shell 63 is of the type which explodes upon impact and comprises a body I85 having a chamber I81 containing the main charge and a small chamber I88 containing the booster charge. A nose piece I85 is slidably mounted on the end of the body and is urged outward by a compression spring I90 encircling a rod I9! which is slidable in the body I36 and is fixed at its outer end to the nose I89.

' In order to prevent accidental explosion of the safe position lies within a longitudinal groove I94 in the body I86. When in the safe position, the toe I95 of therlatch is positioned behind a flange I96 formed on the nose I89 and thereby prevents inward sliding of the nose. Before the projectile isready to be inserted in a pocket I I6 of the belt II 3, the latch I92 is held in the safe position by a safety pin I91 which extends through openings in the outer end I98 of the latch and through openings in directional fins I99 formed on the end of the body I86. The pin I9! is removed when the projectile is inserted in a pocket I I3 and the pocket then holds the latch in the safe position. After the projectile leaves the muzzle the latch I92 is forced outward by a compression spring 200 mounted in a recess in the body I86, which results in the toe part I95 clearing the flange I96. Then when the prjectile strikes the target, the nose piece I89 is forced thereby backward on the body a suflicient distance to cause the flange I96 to clear an arm 202 of a firing lever 203 which'is pivoted at 204 to the body I86 and is constantly urged in a firing direction by a spring 205. The other arm 206 of the lever 203 carries'a firing pin 201 at its outer end; and, when the flange I96 clears the arm 202, the spring 205 moves the lever 203 with suflicient force for the firing pin 20'! to strike and set off the detonating cap 208 which in turn sets off the igniting charge and then the main charge.

'While there have been shown andv described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to asingle modification, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may bemade by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention therefore to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is: g

l. A gun for projectiles comprisinga frame structure; a barrel mounted in said frame structure and includin a breech end and. a muzzle end; means for mechanically propelling a projectile fed into said breech, through said barrel and out said muzzle; and means for feeding projectiles into said breech comprising means defining a surface shaped to guide projectiles into feeding position where they can be moved axially into said breech, a sprocket including teeth spaced to engage successively the projectiles ture; a barrel mounted on'said frame and ineluding a breech end and a muzzle, and said barrel having a pair of slots therein located in opposed relation on opposite sides thereof; a pair of propelling rollers for said pair of slots, and each roller including a peripheral tread part and being rotatably supported on said frame in position where its tread projects partially into its re spective slot and is adapted to engage frictionally the side of a projectile within said barrel; means for driving said rollers in directions so that the portions of the treads occupyin said slots move toward said muzzle; and means for feeding a projectile into said breech and in a position where it is frictionally engaged by the treads of said propelling rollers and said last named means comprising a continually rotating feed roller including a friction tread, and said feed roller being located behind said breech and positioned so that its tread, when engaged by a projectile, feeds the latter into said breech, and devices for successively feeding projectiles against the tread of the feed roller and for holding each projectile in frictional engagement with said feed roller tread while the latter moves the projectile out ofthe way and into said breech.

3. A gun for mechanically discharging pro jectiles and comprising a frame structure; a barrel mounted in said frame and including a breech end and a muzzle end; means for feeding a projectile into said breech comprising a continually rotating feed roller including a friction tread, and said roller being located behind said breech and so positioned'that its tread, when engaged by a projectile, feeds the latter into said breech, and devices for-successively feeding projectiles against th tread of said feed roller and for holding'each projectile in frictional engagement with said tread while the latter moves the projectile out of the way and into said breech; and means engaging each projectile as it is fed into said breech and operable to propel mechanically the projectile through the barrel and out the muzzle.

SAMUEL BRAND. 

